U.S. patent application number 14/824814 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-03 for swingset suspension.
The applicant listed for this patent is Samuel Chen. Invention is credited to Samuel Chen.
Application Number | 20150343316 14/824814 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50275048 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150343316 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chen; Samuel |
December 3, 2015 |
SWINGSET SUSPENSION
Abstract
A trampoline swingset suspension includes a trampoline frame
having at least three legs. A trampoline bed is suspended from the
trampoline frame. Springs connect between the trampoline bed and
the trampoline frame to provide resilient restoring force for a
user. The trampoline enclosure frame includes a plurality of
vertical trampoline enclosure frame members. An enclosure net is
mounted to the trampoline enclosure frame. A swingset frame is
mounted to at least two of the at least three legs of the
trampoline frame. A swing seat is suspended from the swingset
frame. A spring suspension connects the swingset frame to the
trampoline frame. The spring is a coil spring having an upper end
bounded by an upper pin and the coil spring has a lower end bounded
by a lower pin.
Inventors: |
Chen; Samuel; (Shanghai,
CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Chen; Samuel |
Shanghai |
|
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
50275048 |
Appl. No.: |
14/824814 |
Filed: |
August 12, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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13618159 |
Sep 14, 2012 |
9132307 |
|
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14824814 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/29 ;
472/118 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 7/02 20130101; A63B
2208/12 20130101; A63B 71/022 20130101; A63G 9/14 20130101; A63B
21/023 20130101; A63B 5/11 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63G 9/14 20060101
A63G009/14; A63B 5/11 20060101 A63B005/11 |
Claims
1. A swingset suspension comprising: a. a swingset frame; b. a
swing seat suspended from the swingset frame; and c. a spring
suspension on the swingset frame, wherein the spring suspension has
frame suspension springs.
2. The swingset suspension of claim 1, wherein the spring is a coil
spring having an upper end bounded by an upper pin and wherein the
coil spring has a lower end bounded by a lower pin.
3. The swingset suspension of claim 1, wherein the swingset frame
has a swingset outside rail structurally connecting a pair of
swingset feet, wherein the pair of swingset feet are mounted to the
swingset frame.
4. The swingset suspension of claim 1, wherein a swingset apex
connection bolt connects an apex of the swingset frame to a swing
swivel, wherein a swing seat is suspended from the swing swivel
portion of the swingset frame.
5. The trampoline swingset suspension of claim 1, wherein the
spring suspension is located within a hollow portion of a swingset
frame, and wherein the spring provides a generally vertical
force.
6. The swingset suspension of claim 1, wherein the swingset frame
has a pair of swingset feet, wherein the pair of swingset feet each
have a swingset foot spring suspension.
7. The swingset suspension of claim 6, wherein the spring is a coil
spring having an upper end bounded by an upper pin and wherein the
coil spring has a lower end bounded by a lower pin.
8. The swingset suspension of claim 6, wherein the swingset frame
has a swingset outside rail structurally connecting a pair of
swingset feet, wherein the pair of swingset feet are mounted to the
swingset frame.
9. The swingset suspension of claim 6, wherein a swingset apex
connection bolt connects an apex of the swingset frame to a swing
swivel, wherein a swing seat is suspended from the swing swivel
portion of the swingset frame.
10. The trampoline swingset suspension of claim 6, wherein the
spring suspension is located within a hollow portion of a swingset
frame, and wherein the spring provides a generally vertical force.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of copending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/618,159 filed Sep. 14, 2012, entitled
Trampoline Swingset Suspension the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is in the field of backyard sports
equipment, namely trampolines and swingsets.
DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART
[0003] Traditional trampolines did not have enclosures. Recently,
enclosures have become the industry standard. Trampolines now
incorporate a variety of different features. Inventor Samuel Chen
combined a trampoline with a swing set as described in U.S. Pat.
No. 7,909,738 issued Mar. 22, 2011, entitled trampoline swingset,
the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The
present invention is an improvement over the previous trampoline
swingset.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A trampoline swingset suspension includes a trampoline frame
having at least three legs. A trampoline bed is suspended from the
trampoline frame. Springs connect between the trampoline bed and
the trampoline frame to provide resilient restoring force for a
user. The trampoline enclosure frame includes a plurality of
vertical trampoline enclosure frame members. An enclosure net is
mounted to the trampoline enclosure frame. A swingset frame is
mounted to at least two of the at least three legs of the
trampoline frame. A swing seat is suspended from the swingset
frame. A spring suspension connects the swingset frame to the
trampoline frame. The spring is a coil spring having an upper end
bounded by an upper pin and the coil spring has a lower end bounded
by a lower pin.
[0005] The swingset frame has a swingset outside rail structurally
connecting the pair of swingset feet. The swingset frame has a pair
of enclosure swingset vertical members that form a part of the
trampoline enclosure frame. The trampoline enclosure frame can be
formed as a plurality of arches. The trampoline swingset junction
connector bolt connects an apex of the swingset frame to a swing
swivel. A swing seat is suspended from the swing swivel portion of
the swingset frame. The swingset frame has a pair of swing set feet
located at an outside direction of the trampoline frame. The pair
of swingset feet each have a swingset foot spring suspension. The
spring is a coil spring having an upper end bounded by an upper pin
and the coil spring has a lower end bounded by a lower pin. The
spring suspension is located within a hollow portion of the
trampoline enclosure frame, and the spring provides a generally
vertical force.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is an assembled view of the swing assembly showing
the spring suspension in broken view.
[0007] FIG. 2 is an assembled view of the swing assembly showing
the spring suspension in broken view when the swing is swinging to
the left.
[0008] FIG. 3 is an assembled view of the swing assembly showing
the spring suspension in broken view when the swing is swinging to
the right.
[0009] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the present invention with the
spring 122 enlarged.
[0010] FIG. 5 is an assembly diagram showing hardware
connection.
[0011] The following call a list of elements is a useful guide in
referencing the elements of the drawings.
[0012] 101 Trampoline Frame Long Horizontal Member
[0013] 102 Trampoline Frame Short Horizontal Member
[0014] 103 Trampoline Frame Junction Connector
[0015] 104 Trampoline Swingset Right Junction Connector
[0016] 105 Trampoline Swingset Left Junction Connector
[0017] 106 Trampoline Frame Vertical Member
[0018] 107 Enclosure First Vertical Member
[0019] 108 Enclosure Second Vertical Member
[0020] 109 Enclosure Horizontal Member
[0021] 110 Enclosure Swingset Vertical Member
[0022] 111 First Swingset Apex Member
[0023] 112 Second Swingset Apex Member
[0024] 113 Swingset Outside Upper Vertical Member
[0025] 114 Swingset Outside Lower Vertical Member
[0026] 115 Swingset Outside Reinforcing Member
[0027] 116 Swingset Outside Left Rail
[0028] 117 Swingset Outside Right Rail
[0029] 118 Trampoline Frame Vertical Member Cover
[0030] 119 Trampoline Frame Base Rail
[0031] 120 Trampoline Frame Base Rail Cap
[0032] 121 Swing
[0033] 122 Trampoline Bed Spring
[0034] 123 Trampoline Swingset Junction Connector Bolt
[0035] 124 Enclosure Swingset Horizontal Member Connection
Screw
[0036] 125 Swingset Outside Reinforcing Member Connection Pin
[0037] 126 Swingset Outside Vertical Member Connection Pin
[0038] 127 Enclosure Swingset Vertical Member Connection Pin
[0039] 128 Swingset Outside Rail Connection Pin
[0040] 129 Swingset Outside Reinforcing Member Lower Connection
Bolt
[0041] 130 Swingset Apex Connection Bolt
[0042] 131 Swing Swivel Connection Bolt
[0043] 132 Hex Tool
[0044] 133 Spring Pulling Device
[0045] 134 Screwdriver Tool
[0046] 135 Small Screwdriver Tool
[0047] 136 Small Wrench
[0048] 140 Spring
[0049] 141 Upper Pin
[0050] 142 Lower Pin
[0051] 143 Spring Retainer
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0052] A trampoline with a swingset has a trampoline frame, an
enclosure, a trampoline bed and a trampoline swingset. Although a
variety of different trampoline structures can be implemented, a
trampoline frame having a three legged configuration is shown in
the drawings and specification. Each leg of the frame has a pair of
vertical members connected by a horizontal member. Each loop of the
enclosure has a pair of vertical members connected by horizontal
member. Here, the loops of the enclosure are formed as arches.
[0053] The trampoline frame as a general circular ring shape made
from tubular steel members. The trampoline frame supports a
trampoline bed which is held by springs. To assemble the trampoline
frame, trampoline frame long horizontal members 101 and the
trampoline frame short horizontal members 102 are connected
together at the trampoline frame junction connectors 103. Also, a
trampoline swingset right junction connector 104 and a trampoline
swingset left junction connector 105 are connected to the generally
circular trampoline frame.
[0054] Six trampoline frame vertical members 106 attach to the
trampoline frame junction connectors. The trampoline frame vertical
members can insert into a socket of the trampoline frame junction
connectors. Similarly, the trampoline frame junction connectors can
have a left and right socket for receiving for a trampoline frame
short horizontal members and the trampoline frame long horizontal
members. Each pair of trampoline frame vertical members is used for
forming a leg.
[0055] The enclosure is formed of an enclosure first vertical
member 107 and an enclosure second vertical member 108 with an
enclosure horizontal member 109 extending between the enclosure
first vertical member and the enclosure second vertical member.
[0056] The swingset frame and the trampoline frame are integral. A
swingset frame is smaller and has a smaller footprint than the
trampoline frame. The swingset frame and the trampoline frame
overlap at at least one of the legs where the swingset frame for a
portion of the enclosure. As part of the enclosure, the enclosure
swingset vertical members 110 provide an enclosure frame to hold a
net. The net provides a safety restraint for users.
[0057] The apex of the swingset is the higher area of the swingset
frame from which the swing is suspended. The apex here is formed by
attaching a first swingset apex member 111 to the enclosure
swingset vertical member. The enclosure swingset vertical member is
in turn mounted to the trampoline swingset junction connector. The
second swingset apex member 112 similarly is connected to the
enclosure swingset vertical member that is connected to the
trampoline swingset right junction connector.
[0058] The swingset outside upper vertical member 113 is connected
to the swingset outside lower vertical member 114 to form a
swingset outside vertical member. The swingset outside vertical
member is connected to the swingset outside reinforcing member 115,
which in turn is connected to the swingset outside rail. The
swingset outside rail can be assembled by connecting the swingset
outside left rail 116 to the swingset outside right rail 117. The
swingset outside left rail may have a socket connection with the
swingset outside right rail.
[0059] The leg of the trampoline also includes a trampoline frame
vertical member cover 118 for covering the trampoline frame
vertical member. A trampoline frame base rail 119 connects the
pairs of trampoline frame vertical members. The trampoline frame
base rail can have a plastic cover over a tube of reinforcing steel
inside the plastic cover. Optionally, the trampoline frame vertical
member rests on the trampoline frame base rail 119. The trampoline
frame base rail can be plastic injection molded with a pair of
openings that are sealed by a number of trampoline frame base rail
caps 120.
[0060] The final step of assembly to install or hang a swing 121 to
the apex area of the swingset frame. A user must install a number
of trampoline bed springs 122 to pull the frame of the trampoline
together around the trampoline bed.
[0061] A variety of different key connections are suggested in
assembling the trampoline swingset. The trampoline swingset
junction connector bolt 123 passes through each of the six junction
connectors. The six junction connectors have an opening for
receiving the swingset junction connector bolt. Four trampoline
frame junction connectors, a trampoline swingset right junction
connector and a trampoline swingset left junction connector are the
six junction connectors. The junction connector opening is
horizontally formed. The trampoline frame vertical members may have
a horizontally formed opening that matches the junction connector
horizontal opening. Preferably, the trampoline frame vertical
members are secured to the junction connectors by a bolt such as
the swingset junction connector bolt.
[0062] The swingset junction connector bolt can pass through the
trampoline frame long horizontal member and the trampoline frame
short horizontal member that are inserted into the sockets of the
swingset junction connector bolt. The alternating nature of the
long horizontal member in the short horizontal member provides that
the long horizontal member be inserted to a left or right socket of
the swingset junction connector. Similarly, the short horizontal
member can be inserted into a left or right socket of the swingset
junction connector opposing the long horizontal member.
[0063] The enclosure is preferably secured together by a set screw.
Preferably, an enclosure swingset horizontal member connection
screw 124 secures the enclosure vertical member to the enclosure
horizontal member. The enclosure vertical member to the enclosure
horizontal member may have a socket connection. After the enclosure
swingset horizontal member connection screw is installed, a foam
sleeve is preferably drawn over the enclosure vertical member and
the enclosure horizontal member. The foam sleeve also preferably
covers the location of the enclosure swingset horizontal member
connection screw.
[0064] The swingset outside reinforcing member connection pin 125
provides a connection between the swingset outside reinforcing
member and the swingset outside vertical member. The swingset
outside vertical member may have a socket or protrusion for
connecting to the swingset outside reinforcing member. Preferably,
the swingset outside reinforcing member connection pin passes
through the socket or protrusion of the swingset outside vertical
member and also passes through the upper end of the swingset
outside reinforcing member so as to secure than together.
[0065] The swingset outside vertical member connection pin 126 is
similar to the other pins because it has a shaft portion that is
smooth on the exterior but with a threaded tip to receive a bolt.
The bolt and shaft portion comprise the pin. The swingset outside
vertical connection pin connects the swingset outside upper
vertical member to the swingset outside lower vertical member so as
to form a swingset outside vertical member. A second swingset
outside vertical connection member pin also makes a connection
between the second swingset apex member and the swingset outside
upper vertical member.
[0066] The enclosure swingset vertical member connection pin 127
makes connection between the trampoline swingset junction connector
and the enclosure vertical members such as the enclosure first
vertical member and the enclosure second vertical member. The
junction connectors have a socket facing upward that receives the
enclosure vertical members. Both the enclosure vertical members and
the socket of the junction connectors are drilled or form with an
opening to receive the enclosure swingset vertical member
connection pins. If there are a total of six junction connectors,
there will be a total of six enclosures swingset vertical member
connection pins disposed in an upper portion of the junction
connectors. The upper portion of the junction connectors can be
formed as sockets that are at a higher level than the trampoline
frame horizontal members.
[0067] The swingset outside rail connection pin 128 connects the
pair of outside rail members together to form the outside rail. A
swingset outside reinforcing member lower connection bolt 129
passes through a lower surface of the outside rail to secure the
swingset outside reinforcing member to the outside rail.
[0068] The top portion of the swingset is an apex that has a pair
of parallel tubular members connected together by a swingset apex
connection bolt 130. Perpendicular to the swingset apex connection
bolt 130 is a swing swivel connection bolt 131. The swingset apex
connection bolt secures the swing swivel between the pair of
tubular members as seen in FIG. 5. The pair of tubular members may
have round cross-section fitting into a narrow hourglass portion of
the swing swivel. The swing swivel can be formed as a punched sheet
of metal strip folded to have a pair of lower ends. The swing
swivel can be formed as a bracket shown in the figure. The lower
ends of the swing swivel are suspended from the apex of the
swingset. The pair of lower ends of the swing swivel are connected
together at the swing swivel connection bolt 131. Preferably, the
swing swivel connection bolt passes through a link of a chain of
the swing seat.
[0069] A variety of different tools can be used for assembling the
trampoline frame. Preferably, some simple tools may be included
with the trampoline frame. A hex tool 132 can be useful for
securing nuts and a spring pulling device 133 may have a handle
with a hook for grabbing ends of springs. Additionally, a
screwdriver tool 134 and a small screwdriver tool 135 can be used
with a small wrench 136 to tighten and assemble parts.
[0070] After assembly, the swingset is suspended on its legs and on
the trampoline frame. Those swingset has preferably four suspension
points, with two located at two lower ends of the enclosure
swingset vertical member 110, and with two at lower ends of the
swingset outside lower vertical members 114. The swingset
suspension has both dampening and resilient forces. Preferably, a
spring 140 is retained by a pin which provides telescopic movement
toward countering high frequency vibrations and oscillations. The
spring can be a coil spring having a diameter less than the tube of
the frame so that the spring fits inside the frame. The spring is
preferably retained at a spring upper end by an upper pin 141 and
also preferably retained at a lower end by a lower pin 142. A
spring retainer 143 may cover an end of the spring and also fit
inside the tubular frame, or be in telescopic configuration with
the tubular frame.
[0071] The swingset and trampoline both generate vibrations that
can dampen each other through the mass spring system. The motion of
the suspension spring within the trampoline frame also generates
dampening friction. Dampeners may be added to the suspension spring
for greater dampening control.
* * * * *